Leak resistant syringe cover

Abstract

A cover for a syringe includes an elongated flexible envelope and an absorbent material. The elongated flexible envelope includes a body portion and a needle-receiving portion. The body portion has a first end that defines an opening and an opposite second end. The needle-receiving portion extends from the second end of the body portion and terminates in a distal end. The body portion and the needle-receiving portion define a cavity of sufficient size to allow the syringe to be placed therein. The cavity is in communication with the opening. The envelope is made of a material that is impervious to liquid. The absorbent material is disposed in the distal end of the needle-receiving portion.

1. A cover for a syringe, comprising:
 a. an elongated flexible envelope that includes a body portion and a needle-receiving portion, the body portion having a first end that defines an opening and an opposite second end, the needle-receiving portion extending from the second end of the body portion and terminating in a distal end, the body portion and the needle-receiving portion defining a cavity of sufficient size to allow the syringe to be placed therein, the cavity in communication with the opening, the envelope being made of a material that is impervious to liquid; and 
 b. an absorbent material disposed in the distal end of the needle-receiving portion. 
 
   
   
     2. The cover of  claim 1 , disposed in a radio pharmaceutical pig. 
   
   
     3. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the envelope has a length that is longer than the syringe when the syringe has an extended plunger. 
   
   
     4. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the envelope has a length so that a portion of the body portion extends beyond the syringe, thereby allowing the opening to be sealed with the syringe disposed therein. 
   
   
     5. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the envelope comprises a latex material. 
   
   
     6. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material comprises a synthetic sponge material. 
   
   
     7. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material includes a substance that prevents growth of a predetermined set of microorganisms. 
   
   
     8. The cover of  claim 7 , wherein the substance includes a material selected from a group consisting essentially of: a disinfectant, a bactericide, a fungicide and an antiseptic, and combinations thereof 
   
   
     9. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the envelope has an external shape that allows the cover to be placed in a pig for radiopharmaceuticals. 
   
   
     10. The cover of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the body portion forms a cuff, the cuff having a length that allows a portion of the syringe to stick out of the opening, the cuff being folded downwardly over a portion of the body portion and configured to be unfolded so that the portion of the body portion that forms a cuff will extend above the syringe so as to facilitate sealing of the syringe within the cover. 
   
   
     11. A cover for a syringe, comprising:
 a. an elongated flexible envelope that includes a body portion and a needle-receiving portion, the body portion having a first end that defines an opening and an opposite second end, the needle-receiving portion extending from the second end of the body portion and terminating in a distal end, the body portion and the needle-receiving portion defining a cavity of sufficient size to allow the syringe to be placed therein, the cavity in communication with the opening, the envelope being made of a material that is impervious to liquid, a portion of the body portion forming a cuff that has a length that allows a portion of the syringe to stick out of the opening, the cuff being folded downwardly over a s portion of the body portion and configured to be unfolded so that the portion of the body portion that forms a cuff will extend above the syringe so as to facilitate sealing of the syringe within the cover; 
 b. an absorbent material disposed in the distal end of the needle-receiving portion; and 
 c. a substance that prevents growth of a predetermined set of microorganisms absorbed into the absorbent material. 
 
   
   
     12. The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the envelope has a length that is longer than the syringe when the syringe has an extended plunger. 
   
   
     13. The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the envelope has a length so that a portion of the body portion extends beyond the syringe, thereby allowing the opening to be sealed with the syringe disposed therein. 
   
   
     14. The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the envelope comprises a latex material. 
   
   
     15. The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the absorbent material comprises a synthetic sponge material. 
   
   
     16. The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the substance includes a material selected from a group consisting essentially of: a disinfectant, a bactericide, a fungicide and an antiseptic, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
     17. The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the envelope has an external shape that allows the cover to be placed in a pig for radiopharmaceuticals. 
   
   
     18. The cover of  claim 11 , further comprising a radio pharmaceutical pig into which the envelope is placed. 
   
   
     19. A method of making a syringe cover, comprising the steps of:
 a. forming an elongated envelope from a flexible material that is impervious to liquid so that the envelope includes a body portion and a needle-receiving portion, terminating in a distal end, and so that envelope defines a cavity that is configured to receive a syringe therein; and 
 b. disposing an absorbent material adjacent to the distal end. 
 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of placing an anti-microbial agent in the absorbent material. 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the anti-microbial substance includes a material selected from a group consisting essentially of: a disinfectant, a bactericide, a fungicide and an antiseptic, and combinations thereof 
   
   
     22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of disposing an absorbent material comprises the step of placing a sponge material in the cavity adjacent to the distal end.